BLoG #C7 April 8th - Draw A Bird Day 4X6 Drawing

This is an art swap in celebration of Draw A Bird Day - April 8th! Story behind this day is below if you are interested.

You will create ONE drawing for ONE partner. Draw/paint a bird on a piece of 4" X 6" or (102mm X 152 mm) paper. The drawing/painting can feature any bird of your choice... realistic or whimsical.

You may use any drawing/painting medium such as graphite pencils, colored pencils, pen and ink, micron pens, markers, pastels, watercolor, acrylic, oil, etc. You may use mediums in combination. Make sure to use appropriate paper for your medium. No stickers allowed.

Refer to swap photo for example and inspiration. There are many online tutorials with step by step instructions. Anyone can do this... art is subjective; just do your best!

This swap is INTERNATIONAL and artwork is sender's choice. For a personalized piece, please check partner profile for favorite birds or colors....but not required as it's senders choice. Aim to make your partner happy with work you'd want to receive yourself. If item was received and met swap requirements, please rate a 5; Hearts are optional and can be awarded for a personalized piece, extra special work, etc...

Please note: mail overseas routinely takes 2-4 weeks. Communication with your partner is important. Finished item should be protected between cardboard to avoid bending.

AEK7300 will angel if needed. Anyone who flakes on this swap will be removed from inclusion in future swaps.

Please feel free to ask questions and make suggestions in comments below...

In 1943, Dorie Cooper was a 7 year old living in England. Her mother took her to a hospital in to visit her uncle who was wounded in the war. While they were there, Dorie's uncle was very distraught, having lost his right leg to a land mine. In an attempt to cheer him up, she asked him "Draw a bird for me, please" Even though he was unwell, he decided to do as Dorie asked. He looked out his window and drew a picture of a robin.

After seeing her uncle's bird picture, Dorie laughed out loud and proclaimed that he was not a very good artist, but that she would hang the picture in her room nonetheless. Her uncle's spirits were lifted by his niece's complete honesty and acceptance. Several other wounded soldiers also had their day brightened by the event and every time Dorie came to visit thereafter, they held drawing contests to see who could produce the best bird pictures. Within several months, the entire ward's walls were decorated by bird drawings.

3 years later, Dorie was killed after being struck by a car. At her funeral, her coffin was filled with bird images that had been made by soldiers, nurses and doctors from the ward where her uncle had been. Ever since then, those men and women remembered the little girl that brought hope to the ward by drawing birds on her birthday, April 8th.

Draw a Bird Day was never declared an official holiday, but it grew through those soldiers and medical personnel and their families. Today, it is celebrated world wide as a way to express joy in the very simplest of things in life and as a way to help soldiers everywhere forget war and suffering even if only for a short time.